Tallulah Willis recently opened up about her family’s initial dismissal of her dad Bruce Willis‘ dementia diagnosis. In an essay for Vogue, she revealed that they initially attributed his vague unresponsiveness to his Hollywood hearing loss, jokingly telling him to “speak up” like they used to when he starred in the “Die Hard” film series. However, as time went on, his condition worsened, and Tallulah began taking his unresponsiveness personally.
“I thought he’d lost interest in me,” she admitted. Bruce, who shares daughters with ex-wife Demi Moore and later married model Emma Heming Willis, had welcomed two more daughters with Emma. Tallulah shared her struggle with body dysmorphia and anorexia nervosa, explaining how she was too consumed by her own illness to acknowledge her father’s declining health.
“While I was wrapped up in my body dysmorphia, flaunting it on Instagram, my dad was quietly struggling,” she wrote. Tallulah revealed her reluctance to discuss her eating disorder, as it felt like the last vice she could hold onto after getting sober at 20. She had also battled depression and was diagnosed with ADHD.
Tallulah recalled the heartbreaking moment when she realized her father would never give a speech about her at her wedding. “I left the dinner table, stepped outside, and wept in the bushes. And yet I remained focused on my body,” she shared.
She described her physical decline, weighing only 84 pounds and constantly feeling cold. She even had to call mobile IV teams for assistance and couldn’t walk in her neighborhood due to exhaustion.
Fortunately, Tallulah has now embarked on a path of recovery, allowing her to be present in her relationship with her father. She expressed gratitude for every moment she has left with him and has been actively documenting their time together. “Every time I go to my dad’s house, I take tons of photos… I have every voicemail from him saved on a hard drive,” she wrote.
Bruce still recognizes his daughter
Despite the challenges, Bruce still recognizes Tallulah and lights up when she enters the room. Tallulah also acknowledged the simultaneous joy of her sister Rumer’s newborn baby and the unpredictable shifts in her father’s condition. She emphasized the importance of cherishing this unique and special time in her family’s life.
Bruce Willis retired from acting in 2022 and was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia in February. The family expressed relief at finally having a clear diagnosis for the “cruel” disease. They highlighted the prevalence of FTD, particularly among people under 60, and the lack of known treatments for the condition.
Tallulah’s heartfelt essay sheds light on the emotional journey her family has been through and serves as a reminder to cherish every moment spent with loved ones, especially during challenging times.